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UPDATE: HELP US HIT $30,000!

Thanks to all of your incredible support, we have just exceeded our minimum goal of $20,000! Using these funds, we will be able to complete the visual effects, and compose the original score. But there's more that we need to do, and we need your help to finish strong! We need to raise an additional $10,000 (for a total of $30,000) in order to complete the video edit, finalize the audio, and help us get the project on TV. In February we will be traveling to the National Religious Broadcaster's convention in order to meet with executives from the various television networks, and to discuss turning the film into a television series. Nothing like this has been done before for Christian television. Help us spread the word, and make Jimmy Valiant the first Christian action-thriller series on television!

WHAT'S THE CHRISTIAN MESSAGE BEHIND THIS FILM?

The message is simple: Heroism begins at the heart. For the last fifty years, men have watched movie heroes such as James Bond, Rambo, Jason Bourne, and the characters of the Mission Impossible series and received a counterfeit picture of manhood. While many appreciate the courage and can-do spirit of these characters, they’ve also been treated to a wash of self-indulgence: lust, rage, and rebellion. With admiration, young boys have grown into adult males emulating these wicked attributes. True manhood has been the casualty.

Our film JIMMY VALIANT: SCIONS OF DANGER seeks to present Christian heroism — where men follow the example of their Savior Jesus Christ by giving themselves for the weaker. This begins at the heart. As the main character of our story has to discover, men have to acknowledge Christ’s Lordship over them in order to fight for justice over vengeance.

ABOUT THE FILM

Jimmy Valiant: Scions of Danger is an action/thriller film which tells the story of James Valiant — a young maverick soldier-for-hire who is estranged from his rather unique family. When an anonymous client recruits James to shadow a controversial Texas State Senator, James initiates an investigation that uncovers some startling truths, and brings him face-to-face with the last man in the world he ever wanted to see again.

Over the course of the story, as Jimmy unwinds the mystery, he finds himself on a personal journey that eventually forces him to face a dilemma — a dilemma between his own lust for vengeance and his family's convictions about justice.

WHY JIMMY VALIANT?

For too long, Christian films have been stereotyped because of clichéd stories, bad acting, and shoddy production values. The idea for Jimmy Valiant: Scions of Danger grew out of a desire to challenge these stereotypes, and to raise the bar for independent Christian filmmaking by creating an action-packed, thrilling, and visually compelling film that honors God in both the process as well as the final product.

Second, we wanted to utilize the project as a training and discipleship opportunity for young men and women interested in filmmaking — without compromising the quality or the integrity of the project in the process.

Finally, we desired to tackle a genre that has been largely overlooked by Christian filmmakers: the action/thriller film.

WHY AN ACTION/THRILLER FILM?

For over half a century, the action/thriller genre has discipled generations of young men, who have found their role models in such notable action series as James Bond, Rambo, Terminator, Mission Impossible, and the Jason Bourne films. Like many young boys, the action/thriller genre was a favorite of ours growing up (and still is, to tell the truth). Regretfully, however, this important genre has been largely overlooked by independent Christian filmmakers.

We believe that independent Christian filmmaking can take advantage of some of the unique archetypes and themes associated with the thriller genre to communicate powerful biblical truths. Truths like responsibility, loyalty, courage, obedience, proper jurisdictional roles, family unity, justice, and forgiveness — without all of the negative elements often associated with the typical Hollywood thriller film.

WHERE WE ARE NOW

For the last few months, a lot of people have been working very hard on Scions of Danger. It's been an opportunity not just to make a film, but to invest in the next generation by training young people, film students, and families in the disciplines of God-honoring filmmaking. We believe that Christians operating outside of Hollywood and all of it's red tape can make high-quality, entertaining, and edifying films at a much lower cost. So by enlisting the participation of students on the project we have been able to utilize the project as a mentoring opportunity to teach young people important lessons about filmmaking that can only be learned in the field and to make the most of every dollar invested thus far.

We've finished shooting the film, and now we're in post-production. An initial rough edit of the film is almost complete, and our visual effects team has begun work on some of the compositing and other special effects. Our goal is to have a completed film by the end of February, 2011. Although we've produced hundreds of film projects in the past (including documentaries, promotional videos, commercial advertisements, and conference albums), this is our first dramatic film. And we're getting close to having it finished. But we're not there yet.

WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP

As we're putting the finishing touches on the film, there are key elements to the effects, sound, and music that still need to be completed. We hope to finish the film with strong sound editing, which will be especially critical for our fight scenes in the movie. Also, without giving away too much of the story, we have some key visual effects in mind that require additional funding. Finally, we want to get the word out about the film as broadly as possible so that it can reach audiences around the world.

Keep in mind that the least expensive Hollywood-produced television shows cost at least $500,000 per episode to produce. Our film is being produced at a fragment of that cost.

We need to raise at least $20,000 to complete the film with the music, sound, and visual effects as well as to launch its promotional campaign.

HOW YOU CAN HELP

Pledges of any size are greatly appreciated.

And equally important as pledging money is helping us to spread the word about our Kickstarter campaign. Please take a minute or two to use the tools on this page (located above under the video) to share the link on Facebook, Twitter, your blogs, your email list. Spread the word to your family, your friends, your church, and your coworkers. We can't do it without you.

Let's work as a team to bring Scions of Danger to screens around the world. Help us raise the bar for independent Christian filmmaking.

FAQ's

Q: Is this a student project?

While many students played an active role in the making ofJimmy Valiant: Scions of Danger, this is not a student film. Our goal has been to utilize the project as a mentoring opportunity for young people interested in developing their skills in the various aspects of filmmaking, while maintaining the integrity and high quality of a professional film.

Q:When will SCIONS OF DANGER be released?

Our goal is to have the film completed by the end of February, 2011. DVD and television release dates will depend on the results of the distribution deals that we are seeking to secure. Everyone who pledges $15 or more towards the project will be able to watch the festival cut of the film online shortly after completion - long before the film is available to the general public.

Q: Can we exceed the goal?

YES! In fact, if we exceed our initial goal of $20,000 we have some additional incentives to offer to everyone who pledges about a certain amount. (More on this as we get closer to the deadline)

Q: Where does the money go?

Every penny of the pledged funds (minus the fees that Kickstarter charges for their involvement) will go towards the production and promotion of the film. Any additional funds received will be used to improve the quality of the project (such as hiring a composer to arrange an original score for the film), or to promote the film.

Q: What happens if the money isn't raised in time?

Unfortunately nothing. If our goal isn't met before the deadline, no money changes hands and no incentives are given. We want to avoid this scenario at all cost!

All incentives, big and small, will only be given if our goal is met prior to our deadline. If we do meet our goal, immediately after our deadline we will start to manufacture and ship all physical merchandise directly to you. It will be our priority to schedule the more personal incentives as soon as possible. You will hear from us. (More on this as we get closer to our deadline.)

Q: How will you get my T-shirt size?

Once our fundraising deadline passes (January 1), and if our goal is met, we will immediately begin manufacturing and completing incentives for everyone involved. You will get a message from us requesting information from you like your T-shirt size, address, etc. At that time, please reply to us as soon as possible so that we can complete your incentive.

If you have any other questions, feel free to email us. We'd be happy to answer them. You can reach us at nbarnes@scionsofdanger.com.

FAQ

Rewards

You selected

Pledge $10 or more

8 backers

Digital download package that includes a custom “Jimmy Valiant” desktop wallpaper only available to supporters, an electronic copy of the movie poster, and the first 12 pages of the film script in PDF format.

You selected

Pledge $15 or more

9 backers

Exclusive access to an online streaming version of the festival cut of “Jimmy Valiant: Scions of Danger” prior to the film's public release (plus the digital download package).

You selected

Pledge $25 or more

76 backers

Receive a pre-release DVD with the official festival cut of the film (plus the digital download package and access to the online streaming version of the film).

You selected

Pledge $50 or more

18 backers

Receive a copy of the official film poster (29"x40") and a personal thank-you on the Jimmy Valiant website (plus the DVD, access to the streaming film, and the digital download package).

You selected

Pledge $75 or more

5 backers

Your very own limited edition Cast & Crew T-shirt, plus receive a personal phone call from one of the producers thanking you for your vital contribution to the project (in addition to all of the above rewards).

You selected

Pledge $100 or more

46 backers

Get your name listed in the credits of the film as a CONTRIBUTING SPONSOR, plus receive a full-color coffee table artbook with concept art, storyboards, and behind-the-scenes photos from the film (plus all of the above rewards).

You selected

Pledge $250 or more

9 backers

Two tickets to the premiere screening of the film to be held in San Antonio, TX (transportation not included), as well as a copy of the official film poster autographed by the cast & crew, and a 15-minute Skype session with Producer Nathan Barnes and Director Nathaniel Darnell. You can ask whatever you want - behind-the-scenes info, Director's commentary, what color socks the director wears: it's all fair game. (Plus get all of the above listed rewards, of course.)

You selected

Pledge $500 or more

5 backers

ASSOCIATE PRODUCER level: Get premiere listing in the credits as an associate producer of the film! Also, you'll receive two (2) additional Cast & Crew T-shirts, plus a signed limited-edition copy of the full-length script (and all of the above snazzy rewards as well).

You selected

Pledge $1,000 or more

3 backers

Take a ride in Jimmy Valiant's Ferrari! Also receive VIP seating and two additional tickets (for a total of four tickets) to the film premiere, an invitation for four to a special VIP post-premiere reception and photo shoot with the cast and crew, and signed copies of some of the original hand-drawn storyboards from the film.

You selected

Pledge $2,500 or more

4 backers

Exclusive VIP dinner for two with the producer and director. You pick the cuisine, we'll pick the restaurant and cover the tab (San Antonio - transportation not included). Plus get four additional VIP tickets to the film premiere in San Antonio (for a total of 8). Finally, you'll have the opportunity to be an extra in the second episode of the possible series. (Oh, and you'll still get all of the above rewards as well.)

Funding period

Nov 30, 2010 - Jan 2, 2011
(32 days)

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